Farringdon In 2018 Mapped By Arty Globe

A new candidate for the oft-debated 'where is the centre of London' question arises in 2018. Farringdon station will become an exceptionally important rail interchange, for here the revamped Thameslink route running north-south will meet the new Crossrail route running east-west (plus, of course, the Circle/Hammersmith/Met lines).

One of our favourite London artists, Hartwig Braun of Greenwich-based Arty Globe, has crafted a colourful map of these rail connections, on a special commission from Network Rail. Crossrail is seen cutting through west London before snaking off into Essex, while the newlook Thameslink twists off into various north and south Home Counties. High Speed 1 to Paris and Brussels is also thrown in for good measure. Under Hartwig's colourful palette, even Bedford and Luton Airport look interesting.

The 22-metre-long map is currently brightening up the Crossrail dig near Farringdon station, where it will remain for five years.